People are being urged to give more for their poppy - in the year the country marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, a devastating four-month World War One battle.

Cumbrian members and volunteers from the Royal British Legion are hoping that they can smash last year's appeal total of £94,249 by selling more than ever.

Margaret Wadsworth, chairman of the Carlisle and Stanwix branch, said poppy sales last year were about £1,000 down on the previous year.

Making an appeal for around 50 more volunteer poppy sellers, Margaret said she hoped young and old would unite for what was a particularly poignant year.

"We were disappointed with last year's sales figure but we do appreciate that times are hard.

"But we hope with the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme it might make a difference," said Margaret.

"We have around 100 volunteers but 50 more would make such a difference to help man our 13 static points.

"Two or three hours of their time is all we ask," she added.

Cumbria's Poppy Appeal was launched with the mayor of Carlisle, Colin Stothard, waving off an open top decorated classic 1940s wartime Poppy bus from the grounds of Carlisle Castle.

"It's very appropriate that the bus is being launched in what is still a live garrison," he said.

"This appeal is for our servicemen and women and we must never forget what they have done and are continuing to do for our country."

The bus was visiting 11 towns in Cumbria announcing the start of the appeal.

It was due to meet another bus in Penrith that started its journey in Barrow.

Margaret said a new badge had been commissioned by the Royal British Legion to commemorate the Battle of the Somme and this year they would be putting out 900 poppy tins in local shops, as well as house-to-house collections.

Poppy seller, 74-year-old Doug Mitchell, has manned a stall for eight years.

It would have been nine but he missed a year due to having treatment for prostate cancer.

An ex-serviceman, having served in Scots Guards for nine years, Doug said he was proud to do his bit for the appeal.

"I raised £848 last year for the appeal. I wanted to be at the launch to promote how important this is and how those sacrifices made by our Armed Forces are never forgotten," he said.

This year's appeal is calling on members of the public to recognise younger veterans and serving soldiers.

With this in mind, Carlisle dad Raymond Forster brought along his two young sons, Chad, five and Brandon, seven, to the launch.

"My dad was ex-RAF and his dad, so it is in my blood," he said.

"I have explained to the lads about what the Poppy Appeal stands for and how important it is to remember those who have served in the Armed Forces and those who are making sacrifices today."

"We love the big bus and the poppy man and would love to have a ride," said Brandon.

Alan Whitmore, community fundraising manager for the north west, said the generosity of the public helped them answer more than 450,000 calls for help in the last year.

"The money raised from the Poppy Appeal goes towards our work with current serving personnel, veterans and their families, including innovative dementia care, theatre recovery projects, world-leading research on blast injury studies, and Legion-owned seaside break centres," said Alan.

Nationally, the Legion's target this year is £41 million to continue what Alan describes as "crucial work".

In the north west the target figure is £500,000. Last year the appeal raised £480,000.

"The launch lasts for two weeks and we just want to say we are here and wear the poppy with pride," added Alan.